Phthalates are a family of chemicals that are used in plastics, fragrances and a variety of other consumer products. Because they serve as endocrine disruptors, phthalates have some very dangerous properties, but they’ve gone largely unregulated in the US. Now, new research shows that phthalate metabolites may increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes[3]. The study, published in the journal Diabetes Care[4], links phthalate metabolites to diabetes prevalence and shows that chemical exposure results in distinct markers of insulin secretion and resistance.